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CHALLENGING GENDER LIMITS WITH PICTURE BOOKS

Ada Twist, Scientist. Andrea Beaty and David Roberts. (K – 1) With diversity, ingenuity, and hilarity, tenacious Ada Twist is a self-identified scientist, with no fear of failure. So when she has a problem, she’s on her way to fixing it before you can say “failed experiment.”

Allie's Basketball Dream. Barbara E. Barber (K – 1) Determined to play basketball, a girl shows her friends, father, and boys who told her she can't play, that girls can play basketball, too.

Amazing Grace. Mary Hoffman. (Pre-K – 1) Although classmates say that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she’s black and a girl, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to.

Annie’s Plaid Shirt. Stacy B. Davids. (K – 1) Annie’s mom tells her that she must wear a dress to her uncle's wedding. Annie protests, but her mom buys her a fancy new dress anyway. Annie is miserable. Why can't her mom understand? Then, Annie has an idea. But will her mom agree?

The Bat Boy and His Violin. Gavin Curtis. (K – 2) Though Reginald likes nothing better than playing his violin, his father, as manager of one of the worst teams in the Negro Leagues, needs a bat boy. In an act of compromise, he performs his duties while filling the dugout with music that acts as inspiration.

Be Who You Are. Todd Parr. (Pre-K – K) With Parr’s signature silly and accessible style, Parr encourages readers to embrace all their unique qualities – reminding them that their unique traits are what make them so special.

Big Bob, Little Bob. James Howe. (Pre-K – 2) Despite the fact that they share a name, they are different. Big Bob likes trucks and throwing balls and being loud. Little Bob likes dolls and jingling bracelets and being quiet. Yet,

they become friends. When a neighbor teases Little Bob about dolls, Big Bob steps in with “Boys can do whatever they want.”

Brothers of the Knight. Debbie Allen & Kadir Nelson (K – 1) A contemporary retelling of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses”. A reverend in Harlem endeavors to discover why the shoes of his 12 sons are worn to pieces every morning.

Call Me Tree/Llamame arbol. Maya Christina Gonzalez. (PreK – 2) Inspires readers to dream and reach and to be as free and unique as trees. Tree’s gender is purposely not named so that all

can relate to the story and discussions can be had.

The Different Dragon. Jennifer Bryan. (Pre-K – 1) Shows how the wonderful curiosity and care of a little boy, with some help from his two moms, can lead to magical places with a dragon who is tired of being tough.

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Don’t Kiss the Frog: Princess Stories with Attitude. Fiona Waters. (Pre-K – 2) An anthology of stories that will make kids laugh as they encounter a bevy of sleepy, sporty, clumsy, brave, resourceful, and curious princesses.

Dumpy La Rue. Elizabeth Winthrop (Pre-K – 1) Piggy Dumpy La Rue wants to dance, but pigs are born for other things. But Dumpy takes no notice, and before long he has the whole barnyard crew happily hoofin'.

Grace for President. Kelly Dipucchio (K – 2) "Where are the girls?" When Grace's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female president, Grace decides to be the first. Her popular opponent claims to be the "best man for the job" while Grace concentrates on being the best person.

Henry Holton Takes the Ice. Sandra Bradley. (Pre-K – 1) Henry’s family is crazy for hockey – except for Henry. After seeing an ice dancing performance, he realizes he can do something on the ice. But first, he has to convince his family to let him follow his own path.

I am Jazz. Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings. (K – 5) From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. Based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings.

It’s OK to be Different. Todd Parr. (Pre-K – K) Delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and confidence with Parr's bold, bright colors and silly scenes.

Interstellar Cinderella. Deborah Underwood. (Pre-K – 1) When the prince's ship has mechanical trouble, someone will have to zoom to the rescue!

Jacob’s New Dress. Sarah and Ian Hoffman. (Pre-K – 2) Jacob loves playing dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be. Some kids at school say he can't wear "girl" clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress. Can he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants?

JoJo’s Flying Sidekick. Brian Pinkney (K – 1) Everyone gives Jojo advice on how to perform in order to earn her yellow belt in tae kwon do class, but in the end she figures it out for herself.

Kate and the Beanstalk. Mary Pope Osborne. (1 – 2) A girl climbs to the top of a giant beanstalk, where she uses her quick wits to outsmart a giant and make a fortune for herself and her mother.

The Knight and the Dragon. Tomie dePaola. (Pre-K – K) What happens when a sheepish knight and a not-so-fierce dragon fight for the very first time?

Little Kunoichi: The Ninja Girl. Sanae Ishida. (K – 2) A young ninja in training is frustrated. With perseverance, hard work, determination—and a special friend—she unleashes her power!

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Looking Like Me. Walter Dean Myers. (K – 2) An African American boy celebrates all of who is, including a dancer, an artist and a writer. Colorful collage illustrations and catchy rhymes.

One of a Kind, Like Me / Unico Como Yo. Laurin Mayeno. (Pre-K – 1) Tomorrow is the school parade, and Danny knows exactly what he will be: a princess. A story about unconditional love and the beauty of individuality.

The Paper Bag Princess or La princesa vestida con una bolsa de papel. Robert Munsch (K – 2) Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald. English and Spanish editions.

Pinky and Rex. James Howe. (1 – 2) The adventures of two best friends: a boy who loves the color pink and a girl who loves dinosaurs.

Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future! Kate Schatz. (1 – 6) Spanning several centuries, multiple professions, and 26 diverse individuals. There are artists and abolitionists, scientists and suffragettes, rock stars and rabble-rousers, and agents of change of all kinds.

Red: A Crayon's Story. Michael Hall. (PreK – 1) A blue crayon mistakenly labeled as "red" suffers an identity crisis. Almost everyone tries to “help” him be red until a friend offers a new perspective. He’s blue! About finding the courage to be true to your inner self. This can be read on multiple levels.

The Seven Chinese Sisters. Kathy Tucker and Grace Lin. (Pre-K – 1) Once there were seven Chinese sisters. Each one had a special talent. When Seventh Sister is snatched by a dragon, her sisters race to save her.

The Sissy Duckling. Harvey Fierstein. (1 – 2) While other boy ducklings like to build forts, he loves to bake cakes. While they play baseball, he wants to put on the halftime show. Elmer is a great big sissy. When his father is wounded by a hunter’s shot, Elmer proves that the biggest sissy can also be the greatest hero.

Story of Ferdinand / El cuento de Ferdinando. Munro Leaf. (Pre-K – 1) A timeless classic first published in 1936. All the other bulls run and jump and butt their heads together, but Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers.